Global data breaches intensify security solutions for printers.
Minute Hack reported that many “modern printers” retain a huge amount of “confidential data” and that this can be “electronic and hardcopy”, which makes them “vulnerable to attack”. Throughout the country business printers print out large amounts of documents a day, and while some are shredded, some are abandoned at the printer, which compromises security and data protection.
Introducing a “PIN or swipe key card” to each user would secure the paperwork until it is released, which means that if the printing is not authorised it will remain in the “queue” and can’t be seen by anyone. SMBs that have more than one site or remote workers may use ‘pull printing’ and biometric solutions can be added for those working with “sensitive” documents.
Once the documents are on their way to the printer via wireless or hard-wire connection, they are vulnerable to “interception”, and this can be countermanded by “encrypting the print job”, and the “printer’s storage can also be encrypted”. Some printers have an “auto delete” feature which will delete documents not printed within 24 hours.
Businesses need a protocol for “print management”, not just for security but also for tracking and auditing “print practice” which also aids “measuring and managing [..] print environment”. Printer memories can hold a huge amount of information from printing documents, scanning and copying that could put businesses at risk which is why all data should be removed especially if replacing the printer or discarding it.
The advice given is to “ensure [that] all hard disks are encrypted, erased or removed before a printer leaves the business”, and that management and protection of printers is just as important as that of the security for sensitive data on the IT infrastructure of a business.